Sue Herdman from Ceramic Review chooses her 5 Festival Favourites

Don’t miss seeing Eluned’s work in the StartUP section of the Festival. I met this fascinating new maker, who is interested ‘in all things Cubist’ at the Top Drawer show earlier this year. Her fresh approach to the curious, slip-cast recycled earthenware pieces she creates makes her one to watch.

DSP is, in fact, the potter David Worsley. Having completed his Masters in Fine Art in 2000, David went on to focus on working with clay. We’re big fans of his elegant wares on Ceramic Review, as are Tate, who commissioned a range from him last year, inspired by the work of Barbara Hepworth.

This brilliant ceramic artist is fascinated with illusory optical effects. Born in South Korea, but now based in Wales, Jin’s work is admired by many and seen at the best shows. He was also a recent winner in the Homes & Gardens Designer Awards.

Followers of Matthew’s work know how strongly his approach links ceramics to geology and place. ‘Of all the arts,’ he says, ‘ceramics is the most fundamentally linked to the physical make up of the planet that we inhabit’. Collectors of his pieces love the way he skilfully works with the variations and (attractive) impurities of his materials.

Yes, I’m cheating here, but as a big fan of ceramic wares that are both useful and beautiful, I want to flag the fine, pared down pieces made by all three of these gifted ceramists. The quality of their craftsmanship sings out.